Senior Airman David Owsianka Airmen from the 62nd Fighter Squadron recently shaved their heads to support a deceased officer’s son who is battling with cancer. Second Lt. Dave Mitchell, former 62nd FS pilot, lost his life during a training mission in 2008 at Luke Air Force Base. Five years later, his son Brayden was diagnosed…

Toxic leadership. Sadly, this term has recently become vogue in the lexicon of the Defense Department to describe leaders possessing unfavorable leadership characteristics and whose actions eventually rot an organization from the inside out. Examples of these leaders drape across the weekly headlines and sound bites of newspapers, radio and television. “Leaders” who become drunk…

In preparation for the changes in regard to officer and enlisted performance reports, and force management issues, it is important to reflect on personal improvement and goal setting. This topic is close to my heart and revolves around leadership. As officers, leaders and mentors, we can all benefit from refreshing our vigilance and attention to…

Courtesy photo Capt. Daniel Wynn, 56th Operations Support Squadron operations flight commander, prepares to refuel in an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a combat mission over Afghanistan in August 2011. For many U.S. military members, living in a foreign country is common place. In fact, many Americans join the military for that opportunity, but few can…

Base-wide exercise The 56th Fighter Wing will conduct a natural disaster exercise today, which will include military, local, county and state law enforcement, and fire departments. Those traveling on base should expect traffic disruptions, gate closures or delays, and interruptions of customer service operations. Expect to see simulated explosions, smoke, role players depicting individuals with…

Courtesy photo Capt. Amy West, an individual mobilization augmentee assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office, poses with her husband and son July 27, 2013, in front of the Blue Nile waterfall in Ethiopia. West works as a civilian for the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia as a community liaison office coordinator. Capt. Amy…

Senior AirmanMARCY COPELAND Senior Master Sgt. Leroy Ridgel, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron acting chief, runs with the American flag April 4 during the Viking Challenge at Luke Air Force Base. Part of Team America, Ridgel, along with nine others of his team, completed the 10-hour long relay marathon to raise money for the Enlisted Scholarship…

Staff Sgt.DARLENE SELTMANN Steven participates in a relay race April 4 with team members from Sky View Elementary School during the Special Olympics event held at La Joya High School in Avondale. Special needs children from across the valley participated in track and field events at several high schools. The sun shined brightly over La…

Grace Lee David Toliver, Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. president, speaks March 27 at the inaugural Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day ceremony at the Luke Air Force Base Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Air Park. The ceremony was the first of its kind after Gov. Janice Brewer signed legislation designating the fourth Thursday of March as a…

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